Monday, July 20, 2009

Current Obsession - O.S.B.

Last month we were obsessed with veneer, this month our obsession is O.S.B. (Oriented Strand Board). NDC decided to buy two 24 x 48 boards to see what we could make out of it.

One idea was to color in each wood chip with a different color or to create some sort of pattern out of it.

We decided to use the OSB to build a frame for a storage unit, since as ID folks, we are always looking for new and interesting ways to cut clutter. Not having really worked with OSB before, we found that it was fairly easy to cut, but obviously difficult to sand due to all the wood chips.

Due to the type of resins and adhesives typically used in wood-based structural-use panels, low levels of formaldehyde are emitted with OSB. To prolong our and visitors' lifespans, a water-based varathane was used to seal off the OSB and to give it a glossy finish (a "DIAMOND" wood finish, to be exact).

For the Storage part, MDF was used to build 10" x 11" x 12" units. Finished with white vinyl on the outside and decorated with patterend paper on the inside.